Applying for the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme in 2023: 10 Details Worth Noting to Boost Your Approval Chances


Author: Soso FUNG


Hello, I’m Soso FUNG, a migration consultant. I graduated from Auckland University of Technology in 2010. After returning to China in 2019, I began working on the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, and to date I have helped more than 100 families successfully obtain Hong Kong residency through the scheme. Sincerity is my basic working attitude, professionalism is my basic code of conduct, and dedication is the reputation I have built in this industry. I will not let you down — I will use my most dedicated and professional service to help you and your family successfully obtain Hong Kong residency.

In 2023 the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme has eased its policy and relaxed restrictions, lifting the quota cap on applications under the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (for a period of two years), in order to attract more top global talent to Hong Kong — so many people want to seize this policy window and apply at the right time.Applicants under the scheme do not need to secure employment with a local employer before settling in Hong Kong. Approved applicants under the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Schememay bring their spouse and dependent children under the age of 18 to Hong Kong, but they must support those dependents’ living and accommodation costs in Hong Kong themselves.




2023–24: no quota cap

competition is fiercer


The number of applicants for the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme has surged, no quota ≠ easier approval. The scheme has not removed the quota permanently — there is simply no quota cap for the next two years, which means a greater chance of being invited to apply. If you start preparing your application materials now, by the time you lodge with the Immigration Department it will be around early next year, so we recommend you seize this window and make the most of the best application period over these two years.


No quota cap

does not mean unconditional approval


The Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme has a total of 245 points, and you can apply with 80 points. But 80 points is only the entry threshold; we recommend aiming for around 110. That said, if you work in technology, research, R&D, international affairs or similar fields, your chances of approval with a lower score are still high


If your child is pastthe age for the Overseas Chinese Joint Entrance Examination

should you still apply


If your child is already over 10, they may not be able to obtain Hong Kong permanent residency in time to sit the Overseas Chinese Joint Entrance Examination; even so, we recommend applying for Hong Kong residency, because to apply to Hong Kong universities through the Hong Kong DSE examination results, permanent residency is not required — Hong Kong resident status alone is enough.


A bachelor’s degree

is enough to apply for the scheme


Under the rules of the Hong Kong Immigration Department, you need a bachelor’s graduation certificate plus a CHSI-verified degree certificate to apply.If your bachelor’s degree was obtained through self-study examination or correspondence study, you can still try to apply, but you will need to provide an explanation. If you have additional certificates that demonstrate your strengths, be sure to submit them together.


How to

earn English-language points


To earn English-language points, CET-4, CET-6, TEM-4 and TEM-8 do not count — you must provide IELTS or TOEFL results from within the past two years. If you graduated from an overseas university, you simply need to provide a transcript showing that your studies were taught in English or another language, and you can earn 15 or 20 points depending on the language.


If refused the first time

can you apply again


Many applicants who do it themselves (DIY) are refused the first time and worry it will affect a second application. Although you can apply for the scheme multiple times, you must never be careless about an application, because applications are kept on record — and after one failure, a subsequent application will require more explanation, and the difficulty increases.


After approval

do you first receive temporary status


Once approved under the scheme, you receive a Hong Kong Identity Card. Hong Kong has only two types of identity card
– Hong Kong Identity Card
– Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card
After approval, do you have to give up your mainland household registration (hukou)?


After approval

do you have to give up your mainland hukou


Holding both a mainland hukou and Hong Kong permanent residency is not a conflict; if you do not apply for a Home Return Permit or a One-way Permit, you do not need to cancel your mainland hukou, and you can still enjoy the benefits of both places at the same time.


After approval

can your child sit the Overseas Chinese Joint Entrance Examination straight away


The Overseas Chinese Joint Entrance Examination has long been seen as a fast track into China’s 985/211 universities, because its exam content is simpler, admission scores are lower and admission rates are higher — with 400 points you can apply to prestigious 985/211 universities. Many families apply for Hong Kong residency for this very reason. It is worth noting, however, that for your child to sit the examination they need a Home Return Permit, which can generally only be obtained after converting to permanent residency seven years later.


So for the sake of your child’s university entrance exam, you must plan for Hong Kong residency well in advance and begin the process while the child is still in primary school — that way, by the time of the exam, you can register on the strength of Hong Kong permanent residency.


The scheme’s

renewal arrangements


The scheme’s renewal pattern is 3+3+2, and its renewal conditions are slightly more relaxed than those of other programmes: it does not require you to live and develop entirely in Hong Kong — you only need to satisfy the “ordinarily resident in Hong Kong” condition.

The renewal requirements are set out below for your reference:
1. Build up entry and exit records (4–5 entries/exits per year)
2. Keep records of living in Hong Kong
3. Open a bank card, phone card and the like in Hong Kong
4. Have proof of address in Hong Kong
5. We recommend taking out a Hong Kong insurance policy, etc.
6. Married applicants can arrange for their spouse and children to study and live in Hong Kong
7. Alternatively, if your child studies on the mainland, they can attend training courses, summer camps and so on in Hong Kong during the winter and summer holidays
8. Register a Hong Kong company and establish business dealings
9. Make MPF (Mandatory Provident Fund) contributions to build social ties
10. Join some associations and, where possible, take part in charity activities
11. Affiliate with a Hong Kong company to make MPF contributions

Q

Advantages of the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

A

1. One person applies, the whole family is approved
2. Simple documents and a fast process
3. Low processing costs, with no investment requirement
4. International education and the Overseas Chinese Joint Entrance Examination — keep your options open
5. Visa-free access to 168 countries and regions, for free travel around the world

Q

Application requirements for the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

A

1. The applicant is at least 18 years of age
2. No criminal record
3. Proof of assets of CNY 200,000 for a single applicant, or CNY 300,000–600,000 for a family
4. The applicant must apply under either the [General Points Test] or the [Achievement Points Test]
We are currently in a bonus period for obtaining Hong Kong residency — a good time to apply. Planning early helps you avoid the pressure of competition, so if you are interested in Hong Kong residency, plan and apply as early as you can.


If you’re interested in the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
feel free to contact me for an assessment!


Catch up on past articles

When does a bridging visa cease to be valid? A look at bridging visa validity

NSW 190 latest round: invitations as low as 65 points! These occupations are getting invited so easily

Victoria adds another 1,400 190 state-nomination places! ICT invited at 65–80 points in NSW!

Migration news sharing group


2023 


Step 1: Press and hold to add our client adviser

Step 2: After adding, please


Study abroad · Migration · Visas — we’re the professionals



Attention!Please verify thegenuineNewstarsec consultant!


Study and migration enquiries — client advisers by location


Sydney

Melbourne

Canberra

Brisbane

Adelaide

Hobart

Beijing

Guangzhou

Follow the Newstarsec official account

On the official account, reply withone of the numbers below or any keyword (not in the comments at the bottom of the article) to get the most timely and professional migration news!Reply [A] to view the directory (covering all topics)!

Reply: 0000 → View the 16 Nov new-policy update (491 + skilled migration points test)

Reply: 000 → Latest visa / citizenship processing times

Reply: 001 → Latest 189 EOI official round report

Reply: 002 → 189 Skilled Independent migration

Reply: 003 → 190 state nomination by state

Reply: 004 → 489 regional state nomination

Reply: 005 → Student start-up and investor migration

Reply: 006 → Parent migration visas

Reply: 007 → Employer-sponsored visas

Reply: 008 → Subclass 485 visa

Reply: 009 → Partner migration / points

Reply: 010 → Work-experience points

Reply: 011 → PY (Professional Year) points

Reply: 012 → NAATI/CCL points

Reply: 013 → Regional points

Reply: 014 → Visitor and family-visit visas

Reply: 015 → Working holiday visa

Reply: 016 → TAFE study

Reply: 017 → Canadian migration for Australian international students

Reply: 018 → Subclass 407 Training visa

Reply: 019 → Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa

Reply: 020 → New Zealand migration

Recommended for 2023